Twickenham presented a formidable challenge for Irish teams in the early days of professional rugby. Biennial journeys to South West London in the late 1990s were marked by anticipation of almost certain defeat. Defeats in 1998, 2000 and 2002 by scores of 35-17, 50-18 and 45-11, respectively, were harsh lessons. Yes, the word Twickenham was like kryptonite to an early Irish professional rugby player, which was strange as a vast majority of the Irish team had set up home in South West London playing professional rugby with London Irish. The area, known since 1907 as “Billy Williams’ Cabbage Patch,” has…

Want to continue reading?

Introductory offer: Sign up today and pay €200 for an annual membership, a saving of €100.

Subscribe

Cancel anytime.

Are you already a member? .